A recap of the Paris Olympics

The Paris Olympics are over and I don’t know what to do with myself.

I was lucky enough to go to five games, plus visit numerous country houses, see the women’s cycling, and cheer for France on many terraces throughout the city.

And I ofcourse documented the whole thing in my sketchbook.

Stade de France during the rugby 7s France vs USA game.

I wasn’t the only artist drawing at the Olympics. There were many of other urban sketchers and artists making art based on the games, although I sadly never ran into anyone else drawing. I did, however, make my first French media appearance in an article about artists drawing at the games (link in French).

Watching the Belgium vs China women’s field hockey game.

I’ve never seen Paris more alive, yet empty. The crowds and chaos of the transport system did not happen. There were some crowds at some of the events, but no more than you’d expect at a sporting venue.

Maybe it’s because a lot of Parisians left (and then regretted not being part of the joy that was the Olympics), but getting around Paris during the past two weeks has been incredibly easy. Everything was on time, nothing broke down, there were no strikes like some feared. And while there was arson at one of the biggest transport hubs the day of the opening ceremony, it was quickly resolved.

Attempting to draw the athletes during the hockey game.

This was the first time I had ever really watched sports and actually enjoyed it. I was rooting mostly for France, but also sometimes Team USA. Watching France and the US play each other was often conflicting, but I was happy with all of the results.

The energy of the crowds at the games was thrilling. Everyone was so nice, I heard very few complaints. I’ve never before felt so much togetherness with a crowd.

Even when I was rooting for the US during the France/US rugby 7s game and surrounded by French fans, I never felt animosity was directed towards me.

Watching dressage and melting under the sun.

A friend asked me what was my favorite event that I attended and I honestly can’t say that one was better than the other. They all had something special and memorable.

The first event I went to was the rugby 7s, which was at Stade de France and was three days before the opening ceremony. With over 70,000 mostly French fans, the crowds were incredible. There was a great DJ to set the mood in between games, and the view of the lush green bordered by a deep purple was striking.

Seeing my first tennis match at Roland-Garros.

I also got to see field hockey in the original stadium that held the Paris 1924 Olympics. There was a smaller crowd but the stands were filled. Because it was a smaller stadium, you really felt like you were part of the game. I was even able to hear the players comment to each other and shout as they played.

Trying to capture the movement of the tennis players.

Drawing the athletes was incredibly challenging, as they all moved so fast. This was especially true during the tennis match at Roland Garros. This was the first time I had ever watched tennis and I was lucky enough to see Novak Djokovic, the Serbian player who won the gold medal.

But even drawing him with his fast movements was nothing compared to trying to draw the horses during the dressage event at Versailles.

During a watch party at the Casa Brasil in the Park of Nations.

Versailles was one of the most beautiful venues. It was behind the gardens of the château, with a direct view of its golden dome and lake. It was also the hottest day, with no shade on the metal stands. The combined heat and humidity made it difficult to focus on drawing. And if there’s one thing I really can’t draw, it’s horses.

The women’s cycling team going through Paris. They were far too fast for me to make out who was who.

I had a few people come up to me and ask to take photos of my drawings (and a few people who would sneak in photos without asking me for permission, which I was less thrilled about). A few even asked for my social media details.

During the bronze water polo game (where the US beat Hungary in an incredibly tense and close game), a little girl was fascinated with my drawings and stared at me intensely for a good ten minutes.

Capturing the movements of the water polo players.

Paris also did a great job of providing cheap or free things for people to be part of the Olympics. One of my favorite things was going to visit the Parc of Nations and visiting different country houses. I went to House India, where I had some of the best Indian food I’ve had in Paris so far, danced to a Slovakian Coldplay cover band, discovered pin trading and spent far too much money on souvenir pins, bought some new shoes at Club Brazil, and cheered for Leon Marchand in the rain at Club France (which was the biggest and most hectic house of all).

Cheering for Team USA at the bronze game against Hungary.

I was also able to see the Olympic torch floating in the sky, which was absolutely magical. Unfortunately, drawing was a bit more difficult due to the crowds, but seeing the cauldron float above the Louvre and reflect against the Seine is a sight I will never forget.

While the Olympics might be over, the games aren’t completely over yet. The fun continues during the Paralympics, from August 28- September 8. Tickets are still available and I’ve already bought tickets to see France play wheelchair rugby.

I am so glad I stayed in Paris for the Olympics and got to experience such an incredible event. I’m already thinking about how I can make it to LA for the next Olympics.

In the meantime, I’ll be taking a bit of a break and joining the rest of France in the South.

See you all at la rentrée (the return to work and school in September).

-Moriah